Mythologies by Barthes: Overview & Primary Themes

Mythologies by Barthes: Overview & Primary Themes

Is there a hidden message in the meme you just liked on social media? Is myth essentially propaganda? According to Roland Barthes, myths occur when society’s dominant institutions imbue an image, object, or phrase with meaning. By forming these associations, the dominant social institutions create and reinforce cultural beliefs and values that are unconsciously adopted by the masses. In Mythologies, Barthes aims to open our eyes to these manipulations and teach us how to avoid them. Here’s an overview of the book.

How Myths Are Created & Used: Roland Barthes on Mythmaking

How Myths Are Created & Used: Roland Barthes on Mythmaking

Is there a myth behind children’s toys? What symbolic meaning does the Jeep brand carry? According to Roland Barthes, myths occur when society’s dominant institutions imbue an image, object, or phrase with meaning. Because myths are used to shape society, he believes it’s important to understand how myths are created and how they function. Keep reading for Barthes’s ideas on mythmaking.

Elements of Myth: Roland Barthes on Form and Concept

Elements of Myth: Roland Barthes on Form and Concept

What makes myths powerful? What’s the relationship between myth and meaning? Roland Barthes says that the images, objects, and stories we’re confronted with throughout the day are myths that contain subtle messages that subconsciously shape the way we view the world. He discusses the two basic elements of myth: form and concept. Read more to understand these basics of myth that inform how it’s used to shape society.

Roland Barthes: Myth’s Creation, Function, & Dangers

Roland Barthes: Myth’s Creation, Function, & Dangers

What’s a myth? How is a myth made and used? Are myths dangerous? According to 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes, myth is all around us. In Mythologies, he discusses the process of mythmaking. He identifies the basic components of myth and explains what function they have in society. He also warns that myths can pose certain dangers. Continue reading to understand Barthes’s take on myth.

Warren Buffett’s Philosophy and Investing Best Practices

Warren Buffett’s Philosophy and Investing Best Practices

What is Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy? What is the best piece of advice you can take on board from the world’s most successful investor? The key philosophy that Buffett drives home is that owning a stock means owning a piece of an actual, real-world business. Using this “owner mindset” as a starting point, Buffett provides guidance to reasonable expectations, best practices in investing, and certain pitfalls to avoid when investing. Keep reading to learn about Warren Buffett’s philosophy and best practices for investing.

5 Roland Barthes Quotes From Mythologies to Think About

5 Roland Barthes Quotes From Mythologies to Think About

What images, objects, and stories have you seen or heard today? What’s the real message of each meme, advertisement, and headline? In Mythologies, 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes says that all of these contain subtle messages that subconsciously shape the way you view the world. He calls these messages myths. Keep reading for a few Roland Barthes quotes from his essays in Mythologies, along with some context and explanation.

Are There Multiple Realities? The Infinite & Invisible (Vadim Zeland)

Are There Multiple Realities? The Infinite & Invisible (Vadim Zeland)

Are there multiple realities? If so, how many? How can we access them? In Reality Transurfing Steps I–V, Vadim Zeland redefines reality, arguing that we live in a world of consciousness in which infinite versions of reality exist simultaneously. He believes that what we identify as reality is just one version of it. Read more for an intriguing exploration of Zeland’s thoughts on the nature of reality.

Mysteries of the Cosmos: 3 Things Scientists Wonder About

Mysteries of the Cosmos: 3 Things Scientists Wonder About

Why is the cosmos fine-tuned for life? Where is the universe’s missing mass? Why is the expansion of the cosmos speeding up? In a discussion of the origin and history of the universe, Bill Bryson brings up several questions that scientists have yet to answer conclusively. He also shares what some of the answers might be. Keep reading to learn about three intriguing mysteries of the cosmos.

Fine-Tuning of the Universe: The Anatomy of a Scientific Mystery

Fine-Tuning of the Universe: The Anatomy of a Scientific Mystery

How is it that the universe’s parameters are “just right” to support life? Can science ever solve this mystery? In his book A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson discusses a few of the unknowns and controversies that still exist in the sciences. One of those is the “fine-tuning problem.” Continue reading to learn about the fine-tuning of the universe and why it has many scientists scratching their heads.